Sunbet/GU deal raises the bar

Beyond the excitement, however, the deal may prove to be a defining moment for local football, setting a commercial benchmark that rival clubs can no longer afford to ignore. The deal reverberated across the corridors of local football and could spur rival clubs into action, with GU once again underlining why they have emerged as one of the country's most commercially attractive brands. The strength of the FNB Premiership cannot be measured by performance on the pitch alone, but the brand appeal of the 16 clubs. There must be something that The Money Machine are doing right.

At a time when many of their rivals continue to lament the lack of corporate support, the Reds have consistently attracted lucrative sponsorship deals, underlining their growing commercial appeal. The deal is not merely about counting the cash, but is also about commercial credibility.